Survivorship NOW provides wide-ranging wellness programs that strengthen and empower cancer survivors to move past cancer and live each day to the fullest. NOW stands for Network On Wellness, and that's precisely what Survivorship NOW strives to be. Survivorship NOW offers cancer survivors an exciting calendar of free wellness programs in areas such as exercise, nutrition, art, music, education, service and joy. The focus is on cancer survivors helping other cancer survivors to move beyond cancer.

Please provide a brief history of the organization:

Survivorship NOW was conceived in 2010 as a cancer wellness center, a resource for cancer survivors as they seek their "new normal" after their cancer diagnosis.

Thanks to a generous start-up grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, funding from the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival and many donors, and the diligent efforts of Dragonheart Vermont, Survivorship NOW opened the door of its Williston facility in April of 2011. There the nonprofit offers free classes and seminars on a variety of topics to inform, engage and empower cancer survivors.

At least as important as the learning that takes place in our classes are the vital connections Survivorship NOW forges among cancer survivors. People with recent diagnoses have the chance to meet long-term survivors and learn from and be inspired by them. Later these same survivors have the opportunity to reach out to those who come after and help them in return. The sense of community and mutual support is powerful and healing for all.

At its heart Survivorship NOW is about cancer survivors helping cancer survivors. Cancer patients face a challenging journey and no one is better equipped to help a person on that journey than someone who has already been down that same road.

How have your programs evolved to meet your mission?

The basis for all of the programs is really connection. Studies have shown that cancer survivors that connect with a support group can extend their life expectancy.

We continue to expand our offerings to meet the needs of our core constituency. Building strength and fitness and improving nutrition are central to our mission. We also offer fun classes like aqua fit, intro to spinning, and myofascial release. Music and hula hoop classes have become smile-worthy hits as well.

Survivorship NOW strives to listen to the needs of our cancer community. When one mother came to us to share the poems of her daughter Emily, who died after a lifelong battle with leukemia, we developed a way to honor her daughter and help the family and others heal. We created an "Inspired by Emily" series that combined Emily's poetry with artwork created by Survivorship NOW participants. The process was tremendously powerful for the participants, and resulted in an art show and a loving treasury for Emily's family.

Recognizing that a cancer diagnosis has a significant impact not only on the patient, but on that person's loved ones as well, Survivorship NOW has embraced caregivers as a part of our mission, and we invite them to join in our free classes along with the cancer survivor.

Who are the clients/who do you serve?

Survivorship NOW welcomes all adult cancer survivors and their caregivers to our classes. We define a cancer survivor as any adult who has received a cancer diagnosis, whether they were just diagnosed, are presently undergoing treatment, or completed their treatment yesterday or 40 years ago.

One of the most important ideals of Survivorship NOW is that we serve survivors of all forms of cancer. Survivorship NOW has created a fun, relaxing, welcoming, environment to help each survivor get physically and mentally stronger, learn new skills, stretch their horizons, and learn how to take better care of themselves.

Because many of the people at Survivorship NOW are cancer survivors themselves, they understand that walking into a new environment alone can be scary, especially when you are acknowledging that you are a cancer survivor. Survivorship NOW encourages participants to bring a friend, caregiver or supporter. They will have fun, too.

We strive to provide variety in our classes so that most survivors are able to participate at any point in their treatment, as long as they feel up to it and have their doctor's approval.

What do you see as the biggest need among the people you serve?

The biggest need for cancer survivors is to figure out how to survive cancer and the subsequent cancer treatments with the best quality of life. It becomes a lifelong mission. The goal of Survivorship NOW is to bridge the gap in support between treatment and recovery with opportunities for therapeutic treatments, fitness programs, education, and support that promote healing in body and mind. Nothing in life prepares one to be a cancer survivor. Most cancer survivors do not know what steps to take after diagnosis and treatment. Survivorship NOW helps cancer survivors get back into the swing of things and find their "new normal" after cancer. Best of all, we provide opportunities for cancer survivors to get stronger, fitter, happier, and more connected.

Share a story that inspires you from your work:

"I have been struck by how divided the cancer world is, with some cancers getting tons of research and attention, and other cancers remaining under the radar of understanding and funding. I greatly appreciate that SNOW opens its arms wide enough to envelop the entire cancer community — what a gift. My schedule doesn't allow me to go as often as I'd like, but I am incredibly grateful that a place exists where survivors and loved ones can gather—for free!—and find support, understanding, and kinship. Perhaps the most essential component of any healing journey is a feeling of connectedness. Cancer can be a lonely journey — Survivorship NOW is here to remind us that we are not alone and that SNOW guarantees that we always have a safe place in which to gather, connect, and heal."

—Caroline, two-year thyroid cancer survivor

"I especially enjoy the watercolor workshops and the cooking classes at Healthy Living. Survivorship NOW gives me a focus for thinking positively about my health as I connect with other people who have been through a similar life- threatening experience. Being part of this organization has given me confidence that I will be able to deal with whatever that future brings.

—Susan , 2-year colon cancer survivor

"I am so thankful for all that Survivorship NOW has brought to my life as a cancer survivor. They help me focus and it makes me feel as if I am actively taking charge of my life. I have met wonderful people throughout Survivorship NOW. It is a place filled with love and strength. I am thankful that I can be part of this group, thankful that there are people out there making sure that such an organization can exist."

— Chantale, 1-year breast cancer survivor

What are your organization's funding sources? And what's the primary revenue source?

Survivorship NOW benefits from donations of money, time and space from several organizations and businesses, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, Vermont Hard Cider Company, White Cap Busness Ventures, professionals at PT360and Synergy Fitness as well as Jane Lande, who bequeathed money to the program upon her death from breast cancer.

The mainstay for funding for Survivorship NOW is the money raised by the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival. Each year, Dragonheart Vermont invites our community to team up and race dragon boats for charity. About 1,600 racers, 300 volunteers, 45 sponsors, and 180 Dragonheart Vermont members embrace this event and raise money for our cancer support programs. The Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival is team and community spirit at its best. It is the tremendous generosity of our community that helps us keep the programming at Survivorship NOW free.

How can the public help your organization?

• Attend a Survivorship NOW Class: If you are a survivor or if you support someone who is, come join in! Check our program calendar at www.survivorshipNOWvt.org/calendar

• Spread the word:Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about Survivorship NOW and encourage them to explore survivorshipNOWvt.org and sign up for a class.

• Suggest new classes and programs: Do you have a life-enhancing class recommendation for us? We're continually looking to provide fun, interesting, empowering, and unique classes for Survivorship NOW.

• Lead a class: If you are a dynamic, fun-loving, qualified instructor in a particular field, Survivorship NOW invites you to consider leading a class or program.

• Donate to Survivorship NOW: Since our classes and programs are free for all survivors and their supporters, financial support from the public is crucial. Learn more about donating at www.survivorshipnowvt.org/donate.

What else do you want the community to know about you?

Participants in Survivorship NOW do not have to belong to or paddle with Dragonheart Vermont's breast survivor and supporter dragon boat team, nor do they have to participate in the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival.

All donations go to funding Survivorship NOW programs right here in the Burlington area.